A community/institutional pharmacist may render a comprehensive reproductive health service if he/she has obtained the necessary training and has registered his/her supplementary training with Council. Contraceptives may be sold/supplied in accordance with the provisions of the Medicines Act. Pharmacists can administer injectable contraceptives and hormone injections, if the pharmacist is competent in injection techniques. If a reproductive health service is provided the following standards are applicable.
| 2.15.1 |
Physical facilities and equipment |
Reproductive health counselling must be done in a private designated area in the pharmacy. The consultation area must comply with the requirements as described in section 1.2.13 of this manual.
| (a) |
Requirements of registration of the applicable supplementary training with Council must be finalised. |
| (b) |
Co-operation must be maintained with local reproductive health clinics. |
| (c) |
No oral contraceptive therapy must be initiated without the prescribed interview and completion of the client file. |
| (d) |
Clients on pharmacist-initiated oral contraceptives must be referred to a medical practitioner or an authorised reproductive health clinic at least once a year for a full physical evaluation. |
| 2.15.3 |
Documentation and record keeping |
Client records must be completed and updated.
| 2.15.4 |
Legal and ethical aspects |
| (a) |
The authorisation for reproductive health services in community pharmacies is issued to a pharmacist with the required training only and not to a pharmacy. The particular pharmacist will therefore be held responsible for the reproductive health service, which is rendered under the auspices of his/her registration as pharmacist with supplementary training in family planning. |
| (b) |
Confidentiality of patient information must be ensured throughout. More standards regarding patient confidentiality can be found in the Code of Conduct as published by Council in rules. |
| (c) |
In the provision of the service, the pharmacist must always act in the best interest of the patient. |
| (d) |
Reasonable privacy must be assured during the consultation with the patient. |
| (e) |
All clients require and deserve the full attention of the person interviewing them. Rushed appointments, incomplete examinations, abbreviated counselling sessions and inadequate record keeping must not occur. |
| (f) |
Clients must receive information (oral and written) about reproductive health. |
| (g) |
According to the Medicines Act, the pharmacist who supplies oral contraceptives to a particular patient must make the required entry into the prescription book. Such records must be kept for a period of at least five years. |
| (a) |
Pharmacists must ensure that they have adequate training, knowledge and skills to provide the service. |
| (b) |
No pharmacist may render a reproductive health service unless he/she has obtained specific training and such supplementary training is registered with Council. |
| (c) |
Pharmacists involved in this service must be aware of: |
| (i) |
the importance of a professional manner; |
| (ii) |
confidentiality of patient information; |
| (iii) |
the necessity of record keeping and referral of patients. |
| (d) |
Pharmacists must ensure that they are knowledgeable about the latest developments in reproductive health through self-training, training by suppliers and continuing education courses. |
Recognition of Customary Marriages Act, 1998
